When you fill up a glass of water, do you notice white flaky particles floating around? This is certainly not appealing, and you’re probably wondering where those particles come from and what you can do to get rid of them. So today we’re going to talk about the “white stuff” that sometimes appears in tap water and what options you have for removing it!
Where does the “white stuff” in your drinking water come from?
Most often, “white stuff” in tap water comes from one of two places. One possibility is that the particles come from your water heater’s dip tube. Many water heaters that were made in the 1990’s had defective dip tubes that were made of plastic. If you have one of those units, that plastic disintegrates into your water supply over time and shows up out of the tap.
The other (more likely) possibility is that the “white stuff” comes from hard water. If you’ve ever noticed a white substance building up on your faucets, sinks or tubs, then you’ve seen firsthand how hard water can create limescale. This limescale buildup also occurs inside of your plumbing system. Over time, the limescale inside of your pipes can flake off into your water, creating the floating white particles you see in your glass.
How can you test where the “white stuff” in your water comes from?
One way that you can test whether the white particles are coming from a dip tube or from hard water is to place a sample of your water in a cup of vinegar. If the particles are from hard water, they will bubble up and dissolve into the vinegar. If the particles are plastic pieces from the dip tube, they will not dissolve at all.
Of course, this is just an at-home test. The best way to know what’s in your water is to have a free water quality testing performed by North Carolina Water Consultants!
What can you do to get rid of the “what stuff” in your water?
If it’s been determined that the white particles are coming from your dip tube, the problem will have to be taken care of by a plumber. You will either need to have the dip tube replaced or install a new unit.
If you find out that the white particles are from hard water, the best solution is to install a water softener in your home. A water softener will eliminate limescale buildup in your pipes, which will stop the flaky white particles from getting into your water.
If you have any questions about “white stuff” in your drinking water, or if you’d like a water treatment system serviced or installed in your home, contact North Carolina Water Consultants, your North and South Carolina Hague water filtration system dealer. We provide service and installations of water filtration systems all over the Carolinas, including towns like Mooresville, Cornelius and Huntersville, NC.